How Smart Homes Could Benefit from Energy Management Systems
As smart technology and connected devices increase in demand, so does the importance of managing their energy use and software. The new ENERGY STAR Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMS) Program establishes standards in this arena. For instance, many home buyers want security cameras, video doorbells and programmable thermostats for security and an increased sense of control. These features can increase the energy load in the home, so the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a standard for the energy management of all these systems.
Falling under the robust ENERGY STAR brand, SHEMS is a package of other ENERGY STAR-certified devices and services. The goal of the program is to ensure that devices are running efficiently and only when needed. In other words, it’s a smart-home service platform and a combination of smart-home devices that connect and subsequently:
- Sense occupancy in the home;
- Schedule and automate energy based on occupancy;
- Report that energy to users; and
- Control devices based on time-of-use electric rates.